You’ve landed your first real estate job, and you’re not quite sure what to expect. Sure, you know it’s a rewarding field with opportunity for growth and other benefits, but let’s be realistic: It’s going to take hard work and commitment to reap those benefits! Have no fear – here are three insights that will surely help you to find success in that first year as an real estate agent:

1. Success doesn’t happen overnight

Actually, your rookie period will likely last up to two years. Starting out, as an real estate agent, will be all about forming effective habits that will carve the path to success. Be prepared to devote time – beyond the long days and late nights – to finding your way and bettering yourself professionally. The major key to your better future is you.

2. Stay focused on your clients

Effective real estate agents keep their clients top of mind. Yes, a successful real estate career will be a lucrative one,...

It’s a good time to become a real estate appraiser! For a variety of reasons, trained and certified appraisers are in higher demand than ever before. According to the Appraisal Institute, the number of licensed professional appraisers in the U.S. has declined each year for at least the past five years. Many professionals currently in the business are nearing retirement age, which signals an even greater need for new blood.

Additionally, some real estate appraisers have left the “field” for in-house appraisal positions in banks and appraisal management companies. Thus, there is a great opportunity for those new to the business or wanting to get started.

WHAT DOES A REAL ESTATE APPRAISER DO?

Real estate appraisers play a key role in the real estate industry by estimating the value of homes and property before they are bought, sold, mortgaged, insured, taxed, or developed. This process, also known as property valuation or land valuation, is essential to helping...

To paraphrase a famous movie line, a do-it-yourselfer’s got to know his limitations. Being honest with yourself about the home improvement projects you can and can’t take on is important for the appearance of your home and for controlling costs. Many people jump into a full-scale renovation or repair project without fully understanding what’s required, only to discover too late that they’ll have to hire a professional to fix what they’ve done. That shouldn’t dissuade you from making upgrades that can greatly enhance your home’s appearance. There are many ways homeowners can add value with relatively simple fixes. Just make sure you know where to draw the line between a DIY and a professional job.

Valuable touch-ups

Of course, the time-tested formula for selling a home is to get as much as possible with the least expense. That’s the rationale behind going it alone and avoiding the high price tag that usually goes with hiring a...

Broadly speaking, real estate consists of two major branches: commercial and residential. On the surface, these two branches don’t look the same. Residential properties include both resale and new homes. This includes single-family homes, townhouses, vacation homes, investment properties, manufactured homes, and condominiums. Commercial includes shopping centers, medical and educational buildings, hotels, offices, and apartment buildings.

It’s not only structural and physical differences that separate commercial and residential. There are other aspects that further set the two apart when selling either type of real estate.

1. Purchasing factors

Buying and selling real estate can be emotional. Home buyers make their decisions based on how the house feels to them. Factors such as family-size, location, home style or layout also come into play.

The process can also be emotional for commercial real estate buyers. But the layout and feel aren’t as drastic to the...

Making changes to your home can be a lot of fun. It’s enjoyable transforming an old room into one that’s modern and exciting. Besides being entertaining, home improvements can really help when it’s time to move. Not only can they entice buyers into making an offer, they can earn you more money.

However, not every remodeling project helps you financially. Read on for some tips on picking the right project, including how to avoid some common home improvement scams.

Remodeling For Resale

If you are hoping to raise your home’s sale price, then there are some home improvements to avoid. As CNBC explains, most projects directed to your particular tastes will not translate into added value. That’s because not everyone shares your passions. For example, you might love having a home gym or a home recording studio, but that’s not always popular with potential buyers. To some, those changes make the home less valuable.

We all know that typically the Real Estate market slows down during the winter months but that does not mean that everyone who wants to list their home vanishes into thin air. They just need a little extra motivation and reason to list during the winter months. According to Realtor.com here's a holiday shocker: Dec. 28 was actually one of the busiest days for real estate searches in the entire year, despite the fact that Dec. 24 was the single slowest. There are unique advantages to selling your home during the holiday season to share with your clients.

Emotional Triggers run high around the holiday time and your home will look great all decorated for the holiday season. Emotions play a huge rule when a buyer is looking at your home. Turn up the heat, so it is warm and inviting when they come in from the cold. Take advantage of the holiday time by using some holiday decorations to trigger those emotions of a cheery, cozy home spent with family.

Napoleon Hill interviewed some of the most successful people of his time and used those interviews to write his book Think and Grow Rich. Find a successful real estate agent, treat them to lunch and ask questions about how they started off. You can also search for real estate agents on social media. Ask if they would be willing to talk with you. Prepare some questions to ask. Here is a list of questions to help you get started, but do not limit yourself to these. Everyone will have different goals; ask questions that will help you meet your goals.

How long did it take you to get a flow of steady income?What was your biggest mistake starting off?What benefited you the most when you started?How do you set yourself apart from others?Where do most of your leads come from?What does your typical day look like?What do you enjoy the most about being a real estate agent?What do you dislike about being a real estate agent?What advice would you give to someone just...

We see many students come through our school, many already have a sponsoring Broker and other's do not. We recommend those who do not, talk to as many as you can before you make the decision, in fact this should be the least of your worries while contemplating this new career in Real Estate?

One of the first things you need to realize when getting into real estate, you are not starting a new job. You are starting a new business. There is a big difference!

You do not get paid unless a house gets sold. You may go months with out seeing a paycheck. creating a budget can be challenging. In the corporate world you know exactly what day you will get paid and how often. As a real estate agent you will not know for sure when the next commission check will come in. However, you do not need to worry about the company cutting cost and reducing your hours or being laid off. You would have to fire yourself. In the corporate world you do not have any control over how that business...

Being a homeowner is more than just sitting pretty in a desirable house. It takes work and careful planning. You wouldn’t head into the cold outdoors without a jacket and scarf, so why would you expect any different from your house?

As fall and winter approaches, the weather will undoubtedly change, but you can make sure that your home stays cozy and warm by implementing these savvy tips that will save you time and money.

The mortgage industry continues to change annually. There are increased requirements for protecting the consumer, complying with time requirements, and increased disclosures. A seasoned MLO has witnesses these many changes and has likely come to expect new regulations and requirements flowing from the regulatory agencies on a regular basis. Experienced MLOs have learned to be well-prepared MLOs to confidently abide by new regulations and guidelines.

Staying complaint with updated and new mortgage laws is essential to remaining a well-prepared MLO. As processes become more streamlined, regulated, and protective of consumer safety, it is up to the mortgage loan originator to prepare for these changes and confidently adapt when they are implemented. Mortgage loan originators should set lifetime career goals to become highly skilled and accomplished in the mortgage field.

The most important aspect of the MLOs performance is to protect the consumer from any type of harm that could occur...